Optical communication system and component control architectures and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed that include network control architectures that provide for distributed control of the optical component work functions and network management. The distribution of the work function control in the network element provides for a hierarchical division of work function responsibilities. The hierarchical division provides for streamlined and specically tailored control structures that greatly increases the reliability of the network management system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/025,298 filed Dec. 19, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,646, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/441,806 filed Nov.17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,729, which is a continuation in partof commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/108,753 filed Nov. 17, 1998, which is incorporated herein byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to optical communicationsystems. More particularly, the invention relates to the control andoperation of optical systems and optical components, such as amplifiers,transmitters, receivers, switches, add/drop multiplexers, filters, etc.,and the optical links and networks comprising the systems.

Fiber optic transmission systems generally involve numerous opticallinks that are arranged in point to point, ring, mesh, or otherconfigurations which are interconnected to provide communicationservices over a geographic region. Each of the various links must bemanaged and operated to ensure the proper flow of communications trafficwithin the link. The interconnection of the various links requiresadditional management oversight and control to ensure the smooth flowcommunications traffic between the various transmission links in thesystem.

As used herein, communications traffic should be interpreted in itsbroadest sense to include audio, video, data, and other forms ofinformation that can be optically transferred. Likewise, the term“system” should be broadly construed to include a single linear linkconsisting of an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, as well asoptical networks including pluralities of diversely located transmittersand receivers that are interconnected by one or more optical fibers andvarious optical components, such as optical switches, amplifiers,add/drop devices, filters, equalizers, etc.

The necessity of simultaneously managing the individual transmissionlinks and a network of links has led to the development of standardizedhierarchical approaches to optical network management. One suchstandardized structure, known as the Telecommunication ManagementNetwork (“TMN”) structure, allocates the management responsibilitiesover number of management levels, as generally shown in FIG. 1.

In the TMN structure, a Network Management Layer (“NML”) performsmonitoring and control functions on a network basis. High level networktasks, such as establishing network connectivity including establishingprimary and protection paths and wavelength management functions areperformed through the NML. A Service Management Layer (“SML”) isprovided for communications service providers to interface with one ormore NML reporting to the service layer. The SML is used to provisionthe network as required to meet communication traffic patterns in thesystem and report to service configuration to a Business ManagementLayer (“BML”) of the service provider.

The TMN structure separates the network management functions into twolayers to provide a hierarchical division of the management functions.The NML receives high-level network configuration instructions from theSML and develops a general set of element instructions necessary toimplement the network instructions. The NML sends the general elementinstructions to an Element Management Layer (“EML”), in which aplurality of element managers are typically used to oversee a NetworkElement Layer (“NEL”). The NEL includes the optical components andassociated hardware that comprise the actual transmission system andwhich are generally referred to as network elements (“NE”). Each networkelement, or optical component, generally includes a network element, oroptical component, controller that controls the operation of thecomponent in accordance with the specific element instructions from theelement manager.

Communication between the various TMN layers is generally followsestablished protocols, such as SNMP (Signaling Network ManagementProtocol), CMIP (Common Management Information Protocol), CORBA (CommonObject Request Broker Architecture), Java, Q3, etc. The network andelement managers and the component controllers generally are configuredaccording to protocols, such as GDMO (Guideline for Definition ofManaged Objects) and its derivatives, as well as other standardprotocols. Whereas, the component controller typically controls thesub-components using proprietary protocols particular to the opticalsystem.

In the operation of the optical system, element managers are generallyassigned to one or more network elements that will usually, but notnecessarily, be interconnected in one or more specific links, orsegments, in the network. The network manager sends the general elementinstructions to the element managers. Each element manager generatesspecific element instructions for its managed network elements from thegeneral element instructions. The specific network element instructionscan be distributed directly to optical components either, for examplevia a local, metropolitan, or wide area network (LAN, MAN, or WAN,respectively). Alternatively, specific network element instructions canbe distributed remotely via a supervisory or service channel thatprovides communication between the network elements in the NEL.

The component controller not only receives and processes the specificelement instructions, but controls all work functions performed in thecomponent including those performed by component peripherals, orsub-components, such as pumps, heaters, coolers, current sources, etc.The component controller also monitors the sub-component performance andprovides status information to the element manager for higher leveland/or redundant analysis and monitoring.

In many systems, the operation of the sub-components in the opticalcomponent are controlled by the component controllers and performed withreference to one or more Management Information Bases (MIBs). The MIBsprovide operational parameters for each controllable portion of thecomponent as a function of monitored operating characteristics of theoptical components. The component controller monitors the operatingcharacteristics and controls the operation of the component and itssub-components in accordance with its associated MIBs.

The element managers monitor the performance of the networkelements/optical components for compliance with the general elementinstructions and generate element status reports on the network elementstatus. The network manager monitors the element status reports from theelement managers to ensure compliance with the network instructions andprovides a network report with respect to the network instructions tothe service manager.

A shortcoming with conventional TMN based systems is that control of theactual operation of the optical system has been pushed down through themanagement hierarchy to the network element level. Thus, the TMNstructure involves a plurality of management layers that provideoversight responsibilities, but the component controllers are solelyresponsible for control of multiple tasks that must be coordinated andmonitored to ensure correct operation of the component. As such, thecomponent controller represents a single point of failure that coulddisable the component, as well as a link and possibly larger segments ofthe network.

The traditional view toward addressing the risk of a componentcontroller failure has been to provide controllers having increasedprocessing power and reliability or redundant controllers. However, theuse of higher performance component controllers does not ameliorate theconsequences of a component controller failure, but merely reduces therisk of component failure. High performance controllers also tend toincrease the local heat generation of the component, which increases thecooling requirements of the system. Whereas, redundant controllersprovide additional protection against a controller failure, but furtherincreases the complexity of the control structure, thereby increasingthe probability of a controller malfunction. In view of the substantialproblems that can result from component controller failures andmalfunctions, it would be desirable to have a network managementstructure that reduces the risks associated with component controllerfailures to provide robust optical systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for higher reliability opticaltransmission systems, apparatuses, and methods. Optical systems of thepresent invention include a network control architecture that providesfor distributed control of the optical component work functions andnetwork management. The distribution of the work function control in thenetwork element provides for a hierarchical division of work functionresponsibilities. The hierarchical division provides for streamlined andspecically tailored control structures that greatly increases thereliability of the network management system.

In various embodiments, dedicated work function controllers are providedfor each work function performed in the optical component. For example,work function controllers can be used to control the performance of oneor more laser diodes used in the system. In addition, the work functionscan be further distributed, when particular work functions are performedmultiple times in the network element. Continuing the example, a workfunction controller can be provided for each laser diode to allow forindividual control over that diode. An overall laser diode work functioncontroller can be used to oversee the individual laser diode controllersand report the overall laser diode status to the component controller.

In addition, communication bypass can be provided to allow the elementmanagers to communicate directly with work function controllers in theevent of a component controller failure. The bypass can be establishedby providing a redundant component controller that serves during normaloperation solely as a work function controller, but in fault conditioncan dually operate as a component controller and work functioncontroller. Alternatively, a bypass can be provided to allow directcommunication between the element managers and the work functioncontroller. Similarly, in multiple layered work function architectures,communication bypass can be provided the optical component controllersand the lower level work function controllers.

Thus, necessary for higher performance optical systems. These advantagesand others will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings for thepurpose of illustrating embodiments only and not for purposes oflimiting the same; wherein like members bear like reference numeralsand:

FIG. 1 show the standard Telecommunications Management Networkhierarchical structure;

FIG. 2 show the Telecommunications Management Network hierarchicalstructure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 show a network management system structure;

FIGS. 4–5 show optical system embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An optical system 10 of the present invention is provisioned such thatthe actual operation and control network element/optical components 12in the system 10 is distributed among autonomous work functioncontrollers 14 _(i) in the component 12. The autonomous work functioncontrollers 14 _(i) provide dedicated control over one or more assignedwork functions being performed in the optical component 12. Whereas,component controllers 16 are used to monitor, control the work functioncontrollers 14 _(i) in the component 12, and possibly provide directwork function control if a work function controller malfunctions.

The hierarchical division of optical component control functions betweenthe component controllers 16 and the work function controllers 14 _(i)provides for distributed architecture for implementing and controllingwork functions in the system 10. The distributed work functionarchitecture can be considered a new layer in the TMN structure as shownin FIG. 2, as the Work Function Layer.

The distribution of component operation responsibilities tends to lessenthe impact on the system, if one or more work function controllers 14 orthe component controller 16 were to fail. In addition, the distributionof processing function between multiple layers in the optical componentincrease the system performance by focusing both the componentcontroller and the work function controller resources on a small numberof tasks. The distribution of the processing in the component alsoincreases the thermal performance of the system by distributing the heatload that must be dissipated during operation.

The work function controller 14 also provides the capability toreconfigure work function performance characteristics and providemultiple control level oversight of the work functions. Thereconfigurable work function allows the operation of the opticalcomponent 12 to be changed as the network requirements are updated orthe system 10 is reconfigured. The distribution of the processingresponsibilities also facilitate less complicated updates because of thelimited responsibilities of each controller. This, in turn, also tendsto lessen the consequences of programming errors in the controllers 14and 16.

In the present invention, the component controller 16 is configured toreceive element instructions from an element manager EM and provide workfunction instructions to one or more work function controllers 14 _(i).The work function controllers 14 _(i) control and monitor the workfunctions pursuant to work function instructions either provided by thecomponent controller 16. In the absence of specific instructions fromthe component controller 16, the work function controllers 14 _(i) canoperate using default instructions in accordance with its associatedMIBs, which can reside in local memory on work function controller 14_(i).

The work function controller 14 _(i) will generally control theoperation of one or more component peripherals, or sub-components, suchas optical and electrical sources, filters, switches, etc. The workfunction controller 14 _(i) can serve as temperature controllers,voltage and current controllers, and mechanical controllers for use withthe sub-components.

In an optical link, only certain optical components 12 are directlyconnected to the element manager EM, which are referred to herein asoptical component nodes 12N. The other optical components communicatewith the element manager EM via the optical nodes 12 and are referred toremote optical components 12R.

The use of optical nodes 12N decreases the number of optical components12 that must interface with an element manager and can provideadditional oversight control over remotely connected optical components12R. The component controllers 16 in the optical nodes 12N can beconfigured to pass system information between the element manager andthe remote components 12R within the system 10. The componentcontrollers 16 in the optical nodes 12N can also be configured toimplement network protection schemes in the system 10.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the optical system 10, in which theelement manager EM interfaces, either directly or remotely, with the oneor more network elements/optical components 12. The optical components12 may include one or more transmitters 20, optical amplifiers 22,optical switches 24, optical add/drop multiplexers 26, and receivers 28in optical system 10. The optical components 12 can be deployed invarious configurations, such as described in commonly assigned, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/441,805 entitled “Wavelength DivisionMultiplexed Optical Transmission Systems, Apparatuses, and Methods”, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As described in the incorporated reference, element instructions andother system information can be transmitted through the optical system10 using either a dedicated service channel or a mixed data channelcarrying both communications traffic and system information. Forexample, communication between the element managers EM and the remoteoptical components 12R can be provided through an optical mixed datachannel Λ_(omd) via the optical component nodes 12N. The mixed datachannel Λ_(md) also provides for component to component communicationwith the network element layer and other service providercommunications, such as order wires, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, remote optical components 12R generally include anoptical/electrical converter O/E to receive an optical mixed datachannel Λ_(omd,IN) via an optical fiber 30. The optical mixed datachannel Λ_(omd,IN) is converted to an electrical mixed data channelΛ_(emd,IN) and system supervisory information pertinent to the remotecomponent 12R, i.e., element instructions, is provided to the componentcontroller 16. The controller 16 upon receipt of the elementinstructions provides corresponding work function instructions to thework function controller 14 _(i). The work function controllers willgenerally perform a work function affecting the communications trafficpassing through the optical fiber 30.

The work function controllers 14 _(i) in the optical component 12monitor the work function and provide status reports. The componentcontroller 16 monitors the status of the work function controllers 14_(i) for compliance with the work function instructions. The componentcontroller 16 also generates a component status report that ismultiplexed with the communication traffic and other information carriedby the mixed data channel to provide an electrical mixed data channeloutput signal Λ_(emd,OUT). An electrical to optical converter E/O, e.g.transmitter, converts the electrical mixed data channel output signalΛ_(emd,OUT) to an optical signal Λ_(omd,OUT) that is transmitted via theoptical fiber 30 to the next optical components 12.

Likewise, in FIG. 5, optical nodes 12N can send and receive systeminformation via the mixed data channel, and additionally, will directlyinterface with the element manager EM. The optical nodes 12N reporttheir own component status, as well as the component status of theremote optical components 12R and other optical nodes 12N received viathe mixed data channel.

Upon receiving element instructions from the element manager EM, thecomponent controller 16 at the optical nodes 12N will forward theelement instructions to remote optical components 12R through the mixeddata channel. The optical node component controller 16 will alsogenerate and send work function instructions to the work functioncontrollers associated with the optical node 12N. The element manager EMcan also be configured to send element instructions to a first opticalnode 12N₁ through at least a second optical node 12N₂. The elementinstruction will then be forwarded through the mixed data channel to thefirst optical node 12N₁ to provide one or more redundant links betweenthe element manager EM and the optical nodes.

While the above implementation was described with respect to a mixeddata channel, a dedicated service channel can also be provided. Inaddition, the element instructions and other system information can becounter-propagated and/or co-propagated along with the communicationstraffic and transmitted over one or more fibers depending upon thetransmission system.

If two fibers are available in a transmission path, such as shown inFIG. 3, then system information can be propagated in both directions andredundant system information will reach the element manager EM duringnormal operation. The element manager EM can be configured to correlatethe redundant information to identify discrepancies as will be discussfurther herein.

In the present invention, the component controllers 16 can be anymicroprocessor suitable for performing the monitoring and controlfunctions for the component. For example, a Motorola 860 microprocessoror other microprocessor of comparable or greater capabilities can beused as component controllers 16. The duties of work functioncontrollers 14 _(i) can generally be performed using a microcontroller,such as the Atmel AVR Mega 103 or other microcontrollers ormicroprocessors of comparable or greater capabilities.

Many optical components have a number of work functions being performed,such as in an optical switch or add/drop multiplexer, or are oftencollocated at a site, such as a rack of transmitters and/or receivers.In these components or configurations, it may desirable to use more thanone component controller 16. To facilitate communication with theelement manager EM, one component controller 16 can be designated to actas a primary/master central processor that is used to interface withelement managers. The remaining central processors serve assecondary/slave processors that interface with the primary centralprocessor analogous to the communication between the componentcontroller and the work function controllers.

Communication between the primary central processor and the secondarycomponent controllers 16 and the work function controllers 14 _(i) canbe provided using standard communications protocols, such as Ethernet,ATM, RS-485 multidrop, or HDLC multimaster, or proprietary protocols asmay be appropriate. In addition, one or more secondary controllers canbe configured to serve as the primary controller in the event of aprimary central processor failure. Redundant component controllers andwork function controllers also can be used to further militate againstcatastrophic controller failures.

Illustratively, the work function controllers 14 _(i) for use in opticalcomponents may control and oversee work functions including theoperation and control of: pump and signal laser power, wavelengthstabilization, optical signal detection, pump laser temperaturestabilization, Bragg grating and other filter stabilization, on/off gateswitching, E/O and O/E signal conversion, and detector wavelengthstabilization. The precise work functions performed by each opticalcomponent will vary depending upon the responsibilities of eachcomponent. For example, laser signal power control, wavelength andtemperature stabilization may be performed in transmitters for signallasers and amplifiers for pump lasers. Likewise, Bragg gratingstabilization can be performed in receivers, switches, add/drop devices,as well as in amplifiers or transmitters.

The present invention can be further described by way of example. If afiber is cut in a transmission link, for example, at point B in FIG. 3,an optical signal sent by the transmitter 20 will not reach the opticalamplifier 22. A signal detection work function controller can beprovided to sense the presence/absence of signal being sent by thetransmitter 20. If no optical signal is detected, the signal detectionwork function controller 14 can initiate an amplifier shutdownprocedure, such as laser pump shutdown, and report the loss of signal tothe amplifier component controller 16.

The component controller 16, in turn, can correlate the work functionstatus provided by the signal detection work function controller withstatus reports from other work function controllers. Upon correlation ofthe status reports, the component controller 16 can instruct the signaldetection controller whether or not to continue shutdown procedures. Inthis instance, the component controller provides local processing andcontrol that could prevent an unnecessary shut down of the amplifierpump laser in the case of signal detector failure.

Continuing, the amplifier component controller 16 can then report thecomponent status via the mixed data channel in both directions to theoptical component nodes 12N, including the transmitter 20 and theoptical switch 24, respectively. Component status reports will indicatea possible fiber cut between the transmitter 20 and the amplifier 22. Ifthe element manager receives the amplifier component status report onlyfrom the optical switch 24, the element manager EM will havecorroborating evidence that a fiber cut exists as provided in theamplifier component status report. The element manager EM will then senda network status report to the network manager NM indicating the fibercut and the network manager will take appropriate action to reroutecommunications traffic passing through the link.

In this example, providing service channel information from bothdirections allows for the remote shut down of lasers, as well as otheractions that may be necessary in the event of a fiber cut. As previouslydiscussed, the transmitter and optical switch status reports from thetransmitter optical node can also be sent via service channel to theother optical nodes. The absence of a duplicate status report from thetransmitter and the optical switch would provide a further indication ofa fiber cut.

It is often desirable to configure work function controllers 14 _(i) tooperate in accordance with default values and/or the last workinstructions provided by component controller 16. In thoseconfigurations, the work function controllers 14 _(i) will continue tooperate in a controlled manner according to the last received workinstructions or default instructions in the event of componentcontroller 16 failure. The ability to continue operation upon thefailure of a component controller 16 or work function controller 14 _(i)is particularly useful in optical amplifier components, which are oftenremotely located.

For example, if an optical amplifier controller 16 fails, the workfunction controllers 14 _(i) will continue to operate pump diodes andother sub-components. While the system performance may not degrade, thelack of component status report from the amplifier controller 16 to theelement manager EM will indicate that the amplifier controller 16 hasfailed. Corroborating evidence of the amplifier controller failure willbe provided if other components along the link do not indicate aproblem.

Conversely, if a work function controller fails, the lack of statusreport will indicate a possible work function controller failure to theamplifier controller. If the amplifier controller determines that afailure has occurred, the amplifier controller can modify the workfunction instructions of any other work function controllers under itscontrol to mitigate the effect of the failure. For example, a redundantpump could be activated in the case of a pump failure, or other workfunctions can be adjusted in accordance with the work function MIB tocompensate for the failure. The amplifier controller will provide acomponent status report to the element manager EM indicating the workfunction controller failure. It may also be possible for the componentcontroller to bypass the failed work function controller and providework function control of the work function.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that numerousmodifications and variations that can be made to specific aspects of thepresent invention without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

1. An optical communication system comprising: an element manager; aplurality of optical components wherein the optical components include:a work function controller configured to autonomously control a workfunction of the optical component in accordance with work functioninstructions; and, a component controller configured to receive elementinstructions and to send corresponding work function instructions to thework function controller; and a communication channel connecting atleast two of the plurality of optical components; wherein a firstcomponent controller in a first optical component is a first mastercomponent controller that receives element instructions from the elementmanager; and wherein a second component controller in a second opticalcomponent is a first slave component controller that receives elementinstructions from the first master component controller along thecommunication channel.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein a thirdcomponent controller is a second slave component controller thatreceives element instructions from the first master component controlleralong the communication channel.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein if thefirst master component controller fails, the first slave componentcontroller receives element instructions from the element manager andthe second slave controller receives element instructions from the firstslave component controller along the communication channel.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein a master component controller failureincludes the mater component controller failing to receive elementinstructions.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein a master componentcontroller failure includes a break in the communication channel.
 6. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein a fourth component controller is a secondmaster component controller and wherein the first and second slavecomponent controllers receive element instructions from the secondmaster component controller if the first master component controllerfails.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication channel is amixed data channel carrying data and work function instructions.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7 wherein the at least one optical component furtherincludes: an optical-to-electrical converter connected between thecommunication channel and the component controller; and anelectrical-to-optical converter connected between the communicationchannel and the component controller.
 9. The system of claim 8 whereinoptical-to-electrical converter converts an optical data signal from themixed data channel into an electrical data signal including the workfunction instructions, and sending the work function instructions to thecomponent controller.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein theelectrical-to-optical converter converts data and work functioninstructions from the component controller into an optical data signalthat is transmitted on the mixed data channel.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein the communication channel only carries work functioninstructions.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of theoptical components is an optical amplifier; the work function controllercontrols the pump laser power and wavelength supplied to the opticalamplifier and provides work function status reports including thecurrent pump laser power and temperature; and, the component controllerprovides work function instructions including pump laser power andtemperature set points.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least oneof the optical components is a temperature controlled fiber Bragggrating; the work function controller controls a heater/coolerconfigured to heat/cool the grating and provides work function statusreports including the temperature of the grating; and, the componentcontroller provides work function instructions including the gratingtemperature.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the componentcontroller provides work function instructions further including thetemperature response of the heater/cooler.
 15. The system of claim 13,wherein the work function controller contains the temperature responseof the heater/cooler in local memory.
 16. The system of claim 1,wherein: at least one of the optical components is an optical switch;the work function controller controls a switch gate in an off/onposition and provides work function status reports including theposition of the gate; and, the component controller provides workfunction instructions including the position of the switch gate.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein: the component controller provides workfunction instructions including a power requirement to set the positionof the switch gate; and, the work function controller is furtherconfigured to control the power provided to the switch gate and providework function status reports including power supplied to the switchgate.
 18. A method of controlling an optical communication system havinga plurality of optical components to optically transmit informationbased upon network management instructions comprising: generatingelement instructions for the optical components based on the networkmanagement instructions; communicating the element instructions to afirst master component controller in the optical components;communicating the element instructions from the first master componentcontroller to a first and a second slave component controller;generating work function instructions based on the element instructions;communicating the work function instructions to work functioncontrollers in the optical component; and controlling work functions inthe optical component in accordance with work function instructions. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising detecting a componentcontroller failure.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising,communicating the element instructions to the first slave componentcontroller and communicating element instructions from the first slavecomponent controller to the second slave component controller when acomponent controller failure is detected.
 21. The method of claim 18wherein the element instructions are communicated in combination withdata.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving theelement instructions and data and separating the element instructionsfrom the data.